Preparing, responding and recovering: wildfire disaster and rural youth in Portugal

Background In the current era of polycrisis, wildfires represent an escalating global threat that disproportionately impacts rural youth through health risks, trauma, and educational disruption. While often viewed solely as victims, young people can play pivotal roles in wildfire prevention, community response, and climate activism. This study explores the multifaceted relationship between youth and disasters, focusing on how wildfire experiences shape long-term civic and environmental engagement. Methods The research utilizes a qualitative approach centered on the narratives of 12 young people who experienced the devastating 2017 wildfires in central Portugal. Data was collected through biographical interviews and visual methods between 2019 and 2021, during the participants’ involvement in an environmental activism program. The analysis is grounded in agonistic theory, emphasizing the personal and social conflicts that emerge from disaster experiences. Results The findings reveal that wildfire experiences deeply influence youth disaster management perspectives through a complex interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors. Participants’ narratives highlight a transition from experiencing trauma to engaging in proactive climate activism and fire safety education. The results suggest that “agonistic” or conflict-driven reflections on disaster can become a catalyst for community-level resilience and social change. Conclusions The study underscores the necessity of moving beyond protectionist frameworks to actively integrate youth perspectives into rural resilience and civil protection programs. Recognizing young people as knowledgeable stakeholders is essential for developing more inclusive and effective disaster management strategies in fire-prone regions.